Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 53 Strength improvement
After a month of training, Lu Ming successfully reached the seventh level of the Golden Bell Shield, with a terrifying strength of 90,000 jin, and his arms as strong as iron pillars.

Even someone just beginning to forge bones would find it difficult to harm him with a powerful punch.

As for his cultivation level, he has already reached the true Great Perfection of Blood Removal. As long as he refines himself for a period of time, the emergence of true qi will be a natural outcome.

And now, in theory, it should be deep winter.

However, when Lu Ming walked out of the secret room today, he found that apart from the snow at the beginning of winter that proved that winter had arrived, there was no trace of winter at all.

Standing in the sun actually gives you a warm and cozy feeling.

The busy maids in the courtyard were not wearing the cotton-padded clothes that had been distributed to them; they were just wearing slightly more than they had in the autumn.

"call!"

He let out a long breath. Judging from the current strange phenomena, this great disaster was truly unavoidable.

He glanced at his wife, who was carefully examining the white fox fur shawl inside the house.

He smiled slightly, then lifted his leg and walked towards the front yard.

The soldiers are training, and they seem to have changed a lot in the past month.

"Zheng Yong!" Lu Ming's voice rang out.

Zheng Yong rushed over.

After prying open his collar, Lu Ming frowned and asked, "Aren't you cold wearing just this one padded jacket?"

"The brothers are all like this. If it weren't for the training requirements, we wouldn't even want to wear these cotton armors. We are cultivators, and we are not afraid of the cold. This winter is too abnormal. It's not cold at all. It's already this time of year, and the river water hasn't frozen yet."

Zheng Yong seemed to have noticed the problem as well, and spoke up.

Lu Ming nodded.

Yes, it was only at the beginning of winter that we felt a bit chilly; now it doesn't feel like winter at all.

"How's the cultivation level of the brothers?"

"My lord, all one thousand of the Mo Dao soldiers have reached the Bone Forging Realm, and the others have entered the Body Tempering Realm," Zheng Yong said excitedly.

Such a large army would be considered elite anywhere.

“That’s right!” Lu Ming gave an affirmative answer.

Then, he looked Zheng Yong up and down and asked, "You haven't broken through yet?"

"After entering the early stage of Blood Transformation, my cultivation progress stalled, and I don't know why," Zheng Yong said with a wry smile.

Lu Ming nodded and said nothing more.

After all, it would probably take others several years to reach this point.

Zheng Yong has reached his current level in less than a year, which is already quite fast.

There's really no need to be so demanding.

With such strength, it's quite impressive.

"Let's continue training. I'm going for a walk outside."

"Yes, sir!" Zheng Yong replied and returned to the queue.

Lu Ming then led a warhorse and walked alone out of the city.

As soon as I stepped out, I saw endless farmland crisscrossed by waterways.

Moreover, waterwheels were set up at intervals, making it a sight to behold.

It was actually quite spectacular.

This is the result of the hard work of tens of thousands of people over a month.

That is to say, never underestimate the power of the people.

As we ventured deeper into the fields, we saw Bai Yan standing by the edge of the field, his trousers rolled up, directing the villagers in building a well.

He was wearing a long white robe, which was covered in mud.

His face was already frozen blue.

Although it was a mild winter, it couldn't stop the other party from being like this, and they didn't even have any cultivation.

"Sir, the general has arrived."

Bai Yan's attendant whispered a reminder.

He quickly turned around, bowed to Lu Ming, and said, "My lord has finally emerged from seclusion."

"Is there something wrong?" Lu Ming asked with a smile after hearing his tone.

"The wells outside Fenglei County have been almost installed. I have decided to start laying them in the towns and villages below from tomorrow. I probably won't be able to come back this winter, but the smelting workshop is ready."

They also found an iron mine, and the miners they recruited three days ago have already started digging.

We expect to produce diamonds next month.

After a pause, he continued, "The wages for these miners have been agreed upon: one tael of silver per month. What does the general think?"

For ordinary people, receiving one or two taels of silver a month is already a very good thing.

Especially in winter.

"These matters are best left to Magistrate Bai to decide," Lu Ming said with a smile.

He was now truly grateful to the prefect for sending this county magistrate; if it weren't for him, he would have been distracted a lot from handling these matters.

Now, he can just focus on his cultivation. He can keep the silver for himself while Bai Yan does the hard labor. Where else can you find such a good deal?

In particular, he did everything very well.

"Sir, shall we go and take a look at the mines and smelting workshops?"

Bai Yan grinned and pulled down his trouser leg.

It seems like there are chilblains all over them.

Lu Ming nodded solemnly, "Okay, let's go take a look!"

At this moment, he felt a sense of respect for the county magistrate.

The other party really wants to do something for the people.

Lu Ming also dismounted and accompanied Bai Yan through the fields until they reached the foot of Black Mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, a gap had appeared, and people were continuously carrying out ore.

Many sheds have been set up here.

It should be a place for these miners to rest.

Behind them were some tall stoves.

Thick smoke was rising from the chimney.

"General, there are three furnaces here: two steel-making furnaces and one iron-smelting furnace. Although they are not large, they are sufficient. As for the furnace for refining diamonds, it has already been set up."

"My disciple is useless in other areas, but he's quite capable at this."

Bai Yan said with a smile.

Just then, a kind and sturdy man walked over and said, "Greetings, teacher."

He wasn't tall, and his attire was similar to that of an ordinary farmer. He was in his thirties, yet he possessed such abilities.

It should be noted that the method of refining diamonds has always been controlled by the imperial court and those powerful families.

Lu Ming looked at the newcomer with some curiosity.

Bai Yan quickly introduced, "Hansheng, this is Lu Ming, the Commandant of the Cloud Banner of our Fenglei County. You will be following him from now on. General Lu is a very capable man. You should treat him as you would treat me."

"is teacher."

Then, the man turned around and said to Lu Ming, "Li Hansheng greets the general."

"No need for formalities," Lu Ming waved his hand.

Then he continued, "If we were to refine the Vajra with all our might, how many could we refine in a month?"

"Sir, a thousand catties should be no problem," Li Hansheng said confidently.

Lu Ming nodded. In that case, three months' worth of supplies would be enough to forge a thousand suits of armor.

The blacksmith's workshop can start operating next month.

"Good, then let's hurry up and refine them. I have a great use for these diamonds."

"Yes, sir!" Li Hansheng replied and returned to the workshop.

This person is somewhat dull and clearly doesn't like to talk much.

Lu Ming didn't care, as long as he had the ability.

Then, he said to Bai Yan, "Magistrate Bai, the farmland in the township is now in your hands."

"It's my duty," Bai Yan quickly replied.

He no longer possesses the arrogance he once had.

After nodding, Lu Ming parted ways with them and headed towards his own residence.

He plans to go to the prefectural city tomorrow to purchase black gold.

The amount of black gold needed for a thousand suits of armor should be three hundred catties, which is roughly three hundred thousand taels of silver.

Now we can produce it.

Moreover, since Mo Daobing has already broken through to the Bone Forging Realm, it's enough to keep some Body Tempering Pills; there's no need to keep refining them.

He had nearly 100,000 taels of silver left in his possession, which was enough for the time being.

"Husband, does this look good?" Lu Ming had just entered the house and was about to ask his wife if they were going to the prefectural city when...

Li Xi's soft, sweet voice rang out.

Today, she wore a red dress with a pure white shawl, which made her look alluring with a touch of nobility.

She also possessed a touch of innocence, which almost made Lu Ming lose control.

“Beautiful, so beautiful!” he exclaimed.

But the intense gaze made Li Xirou blush.

Lu Ming continued, "By the way, there's something I need to tell you. I'm planning to go to the prefectural city. Do you want to go back and check on me?"

Upon hearing the sound, Li Xirou froze on the spot.

A hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)